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A former soldier killed himself and his wife because he could not bear the thought of friends and family knowing that she was leaving him, an inquest heard.

Graham McCartney, 63, attacked his wife Jane, 59, stabbing her twice in the torso with a kitchen knife, before poisoning them both with carbon monoxide.

Their bodies were discovered when a man came to view the property, which had recently been put up for sale.

Mrs McCartney died from a combination of stab wounds, which she could not have inflicted upon herself, and carbon monoxide poisoning, Exeter and Greater Devon Coroner's Court heard. Her husband died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do not show this to the police. I am not leaving a note. Just could not stand the humiliation any moreletter George McCartney received from father

The couple had split the previous year and Mrs McCartney, a University of Exeter accountant, had left the marital home in Honiton and moved into her late parents' bungalow in the village of Dalwood, near Axminster.

They had both attended the wedding of their daughter, Nicole, just a week before the incident, with Mr McCartney giving her away.

Mr McCartney, who had previously run an automobile garage, was described as a private man and did not like to think other's knew his personal affairs and had become increasingly worried that people knew about the marriage split.

His son, George, had visited his father's GP in August 2014 expressing concern about his father, saying he had been suffering from depression for a few years.

"He was really upset at Mum moving out and I told him he was depressed and should speak to somebody. He said he didn't want anybody knowing Mum was moving out, including family and friends," he told the hearing.

Following their deaths, Mr McCartney received a letter in the post from his father, which detailed various financial matters.

The letter ended: "Do not show this to the police. I am not leaving a note. Just could not stand the humiliation any more. Look after your sister, sorry Dad."

Jane McCartney had left the marital home and moved into her late parents' bungalowCredit:
IRVING OF EXETER

Angela Pitt, Mrs McCartney's sister, said Mr McCartney had suffered from bouts of depression over the years but, to her knowledge, had not seen a doctor about it.

She added: "In my view Graham was not an aggressive monster. The Graham I knew would have utterly condemned what has happened. I think he has lost contact with reality."

"I am satisfied the McCartneys were experiencing marital difficulties, were living apart and were in the throes of separation, which Mr McCartney, who appears to have been a proud man where outward appearances mattered very much, at best could not accept," she said.

His image of how the outside world perceived him was extreme and ultimately of fatal importanceAssistant Coroner Luisa Nicholson

"It seems Mrs McCartney was taking all possible steps to start a new life for herself and was looking forward to her impending retirement.

"We have heard from the police that financial papers were found, possibly indicating that financial matters were being discussed. An altercation or disturbance appears to have taken place in the lounge during which certain items were damaged.

"As we have heard from family and friends there is no good reason at all why she would want to take her own life in some form of suicide pact

"We will never know for certain what precipitated the vicious attack on Mrs McCartney.

"It appears he simply could not deal with his wife wanting to start a new life without him. He was also a very proud man and his image of how the outside world perceived him was extreme and ultimately of fatal importance.

"This is a double tragedy and no doubt heartbreaking and utterly incomprehensible for all parties involved. We will never know the full story of what happened that day."